"The Bahamas?' Jack said raising an eyebrow. "As I have already told you, this vessel is only going as far as Amsterdam, and why on earth do you want to go to the Bahamas? Don' you think that you are too young to be going to the Bahamas by yourself. Tell me young lady, do you know anyone living there?"
"No."
"Do you have any prospects of a job?"
"No."
"Then there must be a man, someone has asked you to come there to marry you - yes?"
"No, sir. I am looking…well never mind what I am looking for. I am old enough to decide what I want to do with my life and that is what I want to do, go to the Bahamas and lose myself."
Jack looked at her with concern. "Young lady, the Bahamas is not the sort of place for a girl your age. There are dangers untold lurking about, and as you are traveling by yourself I will not leave you in the Bahamas alone."
"But…"
"How old are you young lady?" Jack asked
"Twenty-one, nearly twenty-two" Alannah replied - eyes dropping to the floor, lip quivering looking like she was getting ready to cry.
"Twenty one - you may be an adult but that is still no place for a woman looking like you. No ma'am I am sorry, but as a man with a conscious and as you are now the youngest member on board this vessel you are now my responsibility and I will NOT be leaving you anywhere but in the capable hands of Mr. Giovanni. Do you understand me? For the next two days while we make our way from Nuremberg to Amsterdam I expect you to do everything that is asked of you. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir" Alannah said looking defeated. She looked like at any moment she would just break down and just bawl. But no, she was much too strong for that. Alannah had been on the run for too long to let herself be broken down, she had learned that she had to follow whatever rules she was given in order for her to survive what was two more days to then be in the lap of luxury for a full week? So she resolved herself to get off the boat in New York with everyone else, and with the money that she had remaining she would find a job and a small hovel to call home.
"Now don't give me that sad puppy dog look! I'm the Captain of this vessel and I am taking you straight to New York. It will behoove you to catch yourself a husband if you know what's good for you! Now, go over there and get with Mr. Giovanni" he said pointing at the younger of the two that rescued her "Mr. Giovanni - wipe that smirk off your face. Mr. Giovanni will take you to your quarters, he is your go to person on this ship, you need anything you talk to him and he will get you settled. After that, Mr. Giovanni will take you to the galley where you shall present yourself to the cook. Tell him I sent you. I hope for your sake you know how to clean fish."